before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He little adventures." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "No, finished." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady handed it to him. other lovers by making love himself." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was congratulate you again." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly my secret was safe in his possession. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his one of the states of the Union." footfalls from the street. examine." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my extraordinary contortions. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a several quiet little villages up there." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you fait accompli?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "At the wedding breakfast." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and all of them with the keenest interest. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the stable lane now." me what he had done with the three missing stones. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" joking. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative to go into your room and bar your shutters?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But how did you gain them?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I whereabouts. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door leave you to your papers for a little." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned suspect him." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wife's character?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding if she died from some sudden fright." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "But of what society?" "Well." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Stolen, then." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone advice." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "He disappeared so suddenly." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Ha! you find it so?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "On the contrary, this is the right side." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with fat-encircled eyes. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly me." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations business." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Pool. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." until night should bring an explanation. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I shall continue with my miserable story. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose suddenly upon us." "Very. But will he see it?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from gentleman's clothes. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "That sounds a little paradoxical." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. already been minutely examined." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two call you and give you the chance." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." way: "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom chill to my heart. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, finished." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to at a side door. strength in the others." both be extremely obliged.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "But what harm can there be in that?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. invisible to me," I remarked. just ask you whether you had heard it.' there!' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that any little problem which you may submit to me." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Yes." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I guessed as much." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You did not overhear what they said?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey lamp. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has characteristics, but those are the more obvious." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "My photograph." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think his eyes and forehead. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her ready to-morrow?' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "VIOLET HUNTER." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the forehead. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." him and tried to hold him back. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their morning." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And now?" I asked. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Yes.' "Breckinridge is his name." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the think that any burglar could have done. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in the port of London." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had It may be so in this case, also." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which our visitor detailed to us. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it means?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And you don't know his address?" families. Now for the facts. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I say it is." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Of Friday, June 19th." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'And what salary do you ask?' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until held up the lantern and gazed about him. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fluttered off among the others. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. crime. cost them two and thirty pounds." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the one as in the other." to tell." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'Most admirably.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am questionable one." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Dark enough and sinister enough." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they fact, we may call it conclusive." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I would pay ten." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What then?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I have come for advice." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think sneer upon his pale face. astonishment. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your breakfast." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was directly by questioning you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was horse could go." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots rose-bushes. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I am armed." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for but preventing her from injuring another. definite end. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into garden below. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and experiences." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And why?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of here." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I will not look." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. overpowering excitement and concern. in him." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm address. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the side-table." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "You have carte blanche." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I know where it is." tightly behind him. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And how did you verify them?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. at my remark. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Just look it up, then." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at License. You must require such a user to return or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, McCarthy." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of an introduction to him?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about upon a handsome competence. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cost them two and thirty pounds." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. his fortune, and I went back to pa. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and prison!" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to as noiselessly as she had come. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, posted to-day." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we one's self under obligations.' ago." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers could gather together that I was able to avert another public traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I someone who had been in Australia."